Scandi 42: Agile deck saloon bluewater yacht from Finland put to the test

The human preconception: Finnish deck saloon yacht in cruising gear with 102 per cent genoa in five to seven knots of wind on the test day - doesn't sound like a lot of fun at first. Images of a Nauticat appear in the mind's eye. Solid and heavy. Vertical in the water. Standing upright. Owner and shipyard owner Östen Karlsson answers the question about a Code Zero succinctly: "We don't need it!" Off onto the water then. The main goes up, the genoa is unfurled. It's brand new and has been delivered by Doyle, as the original cloth had been damaged during transport from Finland to the Netherlands. Carbon mast, laminate sails, very good fittings. Why?

You would expect that on a boat designed for fast sailing. No matter. All the trims set to "bulbous", crew to leeward and let's see what happens. What is immediately noticeable is that you never really sit this comfortably on a sailing boat. A swivelling chair, your legs comfortably on the coaming, looking into the threads of the headsail. That works. It's reminiscent of the chairs on the catamarans of Outremer or a relaxing armchair in front of the fireplace at home, only with a better view.

The Scandi 42 breaks with modern visual habits and puts function first

The mainsheet is within reach thanks to the lines running aft on both sides. The genoa is also still within the helmsman's working radius. Unfortunately, he then has to leave his helm. The crew in the form of the co-sailors would then have to get involved. The multifunction display and compass are located in front of the helm seats at the end of the coaming. The deck saloon retracts upwards so that it is easy to look past, regardless of whether the helmsman is sitting to leeward or windward. This really is a successful workplace. The same applies to the two halyard winches, which are positioned at a perfect working height on both sides of the entrance to the wheelhouse. The lines then also run along the outside of the wheelhouse. As the winches are offset inwards, this means a sharp curve around an organiser, which the lines have to take.

A nice detail: the clamps are positioned exactly in line with the winch. This eliminates the annoying jamming when the line comes out of the clamp. Another advantage: as each of the clamps is separate, they can also be replaced independently of each other if they are defective. The Traveller is ridden somewhat strangely on both sides of the sprayhood. It is therefore not accessible to the helmsman.

Keyword sprayhood: it is narrow for a better view forwards. It provides protection for the entrance to the deck saloon, but the cockpit remains exposed. However, according to the shipyard, this is only one possible solution. The sprayhood could also be wider and then at least protect the forward lounge cockpit.

Lightweight construction pays off

The little wind is able to get the boat going very well. With a little feeling in your fingers - the feedback on the wheel is surprisingly good - you can find the wind edge. And suddenly it's even fun. Despite the lightest wind. A well-heeled 45-footer from the large series quickly stays astern on the cross. Grin.

Especially for owner Karlsson: "Cruising doesn't mean slow," says the Finn, seeing through the tester's prejudice. After all, the founder of Scandiyachts, his predecessor, first worked at Swan and then at Baltic. It's a point of honour that you build sensibly and that the ship is also fast. By building sensibly, Karlsson understands vacuum infusion with a Divinycell foam core and vinyl ester resins. In addition, a two metre deep keel with stainless steel fin and lead bomb as well as furniture also made of foam with veneer on top. That's easy. And suddenly explains a lot. Only when it comes to the structural parts does Karlsson not take a joke: bulkheads made of multiplex, fully laminated, are a matter of course.

Due to the lack of wind and waves, the boat cannot prove whether it has enough stability on the test day, but the few knots of air movement consistently generate propulsion. That is convincing. With a true wind of seven knots, around 4.2 nautical miles per hour are possible. High on the wind. In this case, that means tacking angles of just under 90 degrees. Very nice considering the conditions. However, it should be clear how much you want ten or perhaps even twelve knots of breeze. As expected, the Scandi should then get off to a good start, with even smaller turning angles and significantly more speed.

The Scandi 42 has no bowsprit

Unfortunately, there is no bowsprit, which means that the options for leading larger headsails are rather limited. A genoa with 120 per cent would still be feasible. Incidentally, the owner sailed to the Caribbean after the YACHT test. They wanted to test the new design properly first, so a round the Atlantic like this would be ideal. But there are no plans for a different wardrobe for the Atlantic crossing either. Large and 102 per cent genoa, nothing more. Very well. It is certainly relaxed, but perhaps not optimally fast on all courses.

Keyword other courses: The wind is very erratic on the test day. For the speed test on deeper courses, the wind continues to blow. If the cross was still fun, it was agonisingly slow to leeward. Here it becomes very clear that there is a lack of sail area.

When the log drops below two knots, we start the Volvo. It only has 40 hp. That doesn't seem much for 42 feet. But the lightweight construction helps here too. The boat cruises along smoothly, the smaller Swede is less thirsty and, if need be, it can manage over eight knots at full throttle. It remains pleasantly quiet, even directly above the engine in the deck saloon. The Scandi is also easy to manoeuvre.

Fantastic panoramic view from the deckhouse of the Scandi

Once at the berth, the path leads through an ingenious sliding door construction into the deckhouse. The panoramic view is fantastic. While the brown panes still look a little outdated from the outside, you realise what they can do inside on the very hot test day: it is noticeably cooler inside despite the large window areas. They can also be shaded. The large seating area to starboard provides a perfect view of what's going on around you. Not a basement cinema, but a real 360-degree harbour cinema. Thanks to the comfortable seating and large table, you can easily spend even dull harbour days here. It should also be noted that the helm seat opposite is the ideal place to keep watch when it gets too uncomfortable outside. Thanks to the autopilot, the boat can be kept on course from here. The engine can also be operated from here or from both(!) steering columns. The sails can only be accessed from the cockpit.

On the starboard side, the galley is very deep and close to the centre of rotation. It is easy to work there, the sinks are positioned towards the centre of the boat and the Corian worktop has a high sill. Unfortunately, the area is somewhat small as it is interrupted by the flaps of the cool box and freezer. Cooking preparation therefore requires some planning. Nevertheless, the many usable cupboards more than fulfil the Scandi's travelling requirements. This also applies to the cabin in the foredeck: it offers plenty of space and, above all, a sense of space thanks to the enormous height of 1.90 metres - a really successful bunk measuring 2.03 by 1.70 metres. That's great. The wet room is also adequate. What the cabin and bathroom lack is sufficient ventilation. There is only electric ventilation in the bathroom, and a single deck hatch above the bed has to suffice.

King-size cabin in the stern despite aft cockpit. The rare combination is difficult to realise

Aft of the saloon is a further chamber. It is open to the deckhouse. A single and a double berth are accommodated there. Unfortunately, the headroom above the latter is unacceptable at 26 centimetres. Karlsson has also recognised this: "The bed is so high because we wanted to create storage space underneath. But that doesn't achieve much. It could be much lower, then you'd also have space above your head."

Unfortunately, there is also a lack of ventilation in the aft chamber. A small window to the cockpit is not enough in warm waters. The head compartment is also only electrically ventilated. However, a hatch could also be installed there, says Karlsson. The same applies to the area above the aft berth, but then there would be a hatch cover in the cockpit. This could then be covered with cork and would probably cause little disturbance. Speaking of cork flooring: it is laid all over the boat and keeps it pleasantly quiet and cool. The furniture construction is of a very high standard, all the gaps are correct, nothing creaks, the grain runs smoothly. There are swallow's nests in the cockpit, which is good in itself. The fact that they are edged with a cork rim is simply endearing. Inside, PU paint is used instead of topcoat. This means the boat doesn't smell of styrene.

Coupled with the elaborate construction of the hull and deck and the high-quality fittings throughout, the Scandi 42 is an exciting yacht that is definitely in the same league as a Nordship 420 or Contest 42. Visually, it is unique and offers the perfect overview from the saloon. The price seems justified. With better ventilation and more height above the aft berth, this is a pretty perfect boat, certainly in view of the excellent sailing performance. Typically Finnish: simply good, without making a fuss about it.

The Italia Scandi 42 in detail

Technical data

• Designer: Ulf Røgeberg
• CE design category: A
• Hull length: 12.80 m
• Total length: 13.00 m
• Waterline length: 11.76 m
• Width: 4.06 m
• Draught: 2.00 m
• Mast height above WL: 17.00 m
• Theoretical hull speed: 8.3 knots
• Weight: 8.5 tonnes
• Ballast/proportion: 2.4 t/28 %
• Mainsail: 42.0 m²
• Furling genoa (102 %): 31,0 m²
• Engine (Volvo): 30 kW/40 hp
• Fuel tanks: 2x 220 litres
• Fresh water tanks: 2x 200 litres
• Holding tank: 180 litres
• Batteries: 100 AH/24 Volt

Equipment and prices

• Base price ex shipyard: € 475,000
• Price ready to sail* : 488.000 €
• Comfort price* : 585,000 €
• Warranty/against osmosis: 2/2 years
• All equipment such as through-hulls or other technology is specified when the order is placed. If a supplier is changed, this is always done in consultation with the future owner

Prices as of 3/2023

* how the prices shown are defined can be found here !

Hull and deck construction

• Vacuum infusion. Divinycell core
• Vinyl ester resin. Keel and rudder
• Bow, engine foundation: solid
• Bulkheads: laminated and made of multiplex
• Furniture: foam core and veneer, vacuum-bonded. Only structural parts are made of multiplex
• The deck covering is made from marine cork. This remains particularly cool, insulates well, offers a pleasant feeling on the feet and is also non-slip
• Few hull openings: Saildrive, plumb bob and log, refrigerator heat exchanger, opening for pumping out the holding tank

Layout

• No variance: two cabins, two bathrooms
• Both chambers have their own bathrooms, but these can only be ventilated electrically
• Deck hatches are possible, but not included in the standard version
• The galley is lower than the saloon
• The aft chamber has no door
• There is a sail load at the front
• A telescopic ladder is installed under the bunk in the foredeck - a bizarre requirement from the CE standard for access to the escape hatch. The issue is solved more simply by some other shipyards with a belt

Keel

• The holding tank is remarkably large with a volume of 180 litres and is housed in the stainless steel keel fin. This ends in a lead bomb.
• The design brings the centre of gravity pleasingly low

Motorisation

• Thanks to lightweight construction, 40 hp is more than enough
• Large engine compartment: units such as the generator or additional batteries still fit inside, as does the watermaker

Cooling volume

• Refrigerator: 90 litres
• Fridge: 58 litres

Shipyard and distribution

Scandi Yachts

Uusikaarlepyy, Finland

Telephone: +358/449 85 17 36,

• scandiyachts.fi

YACHT rating

A performance deck saloon cruiser that has never been seen before. Thanks to consistent lightweight construction, it manages the balancing act between comfortable travelling even in bad weather and sailing fun even in light winds. The quality is exquisite and justifies the price

Design and concept

• + Elaborate design
• + Stiff hull
• + View ahead despite deck saloon
• - Little protection behind deck saloon

Sailing performance and trim

• + Low centre of gravity
• + Direct control feel
• + Useful trimming devices
• - Small headsail

Living and finishing quality

• + Very high quality finish
• + Plenty of usable storage space
• - Little headroom in aft cabin
• - Ventilation in the wet rooms

Equipment and technology

• + Comfortable helm seats
• + Good noise insulation
• + 24 V electrical system
• + Thickness of veneer

More exciting yachts in the test:

• Nordship 420 DS - year-round deck saloon yacht
• Contest 49 CS: Mini superyacht in a strong wind test
• Italia Yacht 12.98: Fast, slim and stylish performance cruiser on test